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“Lots of caribou around here

...used to be”

Window into the pastWhile today’s caribou occur in small herds across the southern Yukon, in the past they were much more widespread and abundant, and therefore, of great importance to our ancestors.

Mountaintop ice patches across the southern part of the Yukon are places where caribou gather in the summer for relief from insects and heat. They are also places where the ancestors used to hunt (and people still occasionally do today). These patches used to remain frozen year-round, but with the warm summers of recent decades they have begun melting. As they melt, researchers and First Nations citizens and staff are finding items that provide windows into the past and help us learn about caribou, the history of our lands, and the hunting practices of our ancestors.

Yukon First Nations have been participating in the study of these melting ice patches, working co-operatively with the Yukon Government since the first ice patch was discovered in 1997. Since then, each summer the patches are visited to check for new finds. In December 2004, representatives of the First Nations met to review the project’s history and talk about its future. From this, a First Nations’ vision for the project emerged.

VisionOur vision is to ensure First Nation ownership and involvement in the discovery, study, interpretation and end use of the artifacts, ethnographic objects and biological materials found at the melting ice patches in our Traditional Territories, as well as the management and understanding of these special places. The ice patch work is a study of our past and our homelands. It is also integral to who we are today, as modern First Nations.

In this newsletter, we summarize the research progress since the first ice patch newsletter was released in the spring of 2002. New finds are discussed, along with laboratory results, distribution of the patches, our growing understanding of these special places, and the First Nations evolving role in the project.

Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Kluane First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Teslin Tlingit Council

Issue 2Spring2005

Cody Joe (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations), made an incredible find in 2003, a hide object (indicated by box) that has been identified as a moccasin. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

Trish James (Carcross/Tagish First Nation) with a stone tool artifact she just found at Gladstone ice patch, 2004. (CAFN, S. Greer)

caribou, in Englishmäzi or udzi, in Southern Tutchonewats íx, in Tlingitwejih, in Tagish

“Lots of caribou around here

...used to be”(Elder Mrs. Annie Ned, 1980)

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Pauly Sias (Kluane First Nation), Greg Hare (Yukon Government) and others survey for biological samples and artifacts at Gladstone ice patch, 2004. (CAFN, D. Strand)

What’s it all about?

Caribou gather on mountaintop ice patches to get relief from insects and heat. They spend enough time at these places that dung (poop) gets deposited. With many caribou doing this for thousands of years, the result is large accumulations of dung.

During the warm summers of recent decades, the ice patches have been shrinking in size. As they melt, the dung, as well as ancient artifacts and faunal remains (bone, antler, small animal remains) and plant remains are being revealed and found.

Why are ancient artifacts found? Hunters who relied on the species would have known that the patches were reliable places to find caribou. When hunting, they occasionally lost an implement, such as an arrow that missed its mark.

How did the patches form? The ice at the patches accumulated gradually over the last 8,000 years or more, after the glaciers that once covered all of the southern Yukon had melted away. They formed as yearly snowfalls piled up and, over time, were compressed into layers. The patches are thought to have reached their maximum size between 100 and 650 years ago.

How old are the ice patches? Close to 200 radiocarbon dates have been obtained on samples from the ice patches. These dates show that the deposits at the different patches vary in age. At some patches, the dung and ice deposits date only to the past few thousand years, while at others, they go back over 8,000 years.

• Oldest date on dung: about 8,330 years• Oldest artifact, a dart shaft: about 8,360 years• Youngest date on dung: about 460 years• Youngest artifact, an arrow shaft: about 100 years

Caribou on ice. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

Frances Oles (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations) at one of the Vand Creek ice patches near Klukshu, with the layers of dung in the ice showing behind her. (CAFN, S. Greer)

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What do patches look like? For most of the year you wouldn’t even know the patches exist because the mountains are entirely covered with snow. Then, with the warm weather, the snow melts and the snow line retreats up the mountain, leaving small patches on the mountaintop. At the height of the summer melt (sometime between late July and mid-August) in a warm summer, the dung can be seen at these patches.

Another identifying feature is the “lighter coloured” or lichen-free area around the edge of a patch that shows how big the ice-covered area used to be. The patches differ in size, from less than a hundred metres to almost a kilometre in length. They often occur in clusters, and where they do, it is generally the largest patch that is the most productive for research.

How many patches are there? As of 2004, around 100 patches with dung had been recognized. It is difficult to be precise about the number since some patches are only recognizable in extremely warm summers, and at a few, the ice is entirely melted, leaving only dung. The patches that have yielded the most finds are being monitored annually, and three have been mapped in detail to document shrinkage over time.

Where are patches located? The patches are situated on the northern side of mountains, usually at elevations around 6,000 to 7,000 feet, with the majority located in the Coast Mountains and adjacent Yukon Plateau country between Whitehorse-

Carcross and Haines Junction (see map on page 5). Some patches have also been found in the Ruby Ranges near Kluane Lake, in the Big Salmon and other ranges east and west of the Teslin River, and in the Cassiar Mountains east of Teslin. Researchers have looked for patches in the Pelly Mountains, but none have yet been found there.

More recently, ice patches have also been identified in British Columbia, and in Alaska (Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and the Tangle Lakes area).

Are we finding just caribou dung? While caribou remains (dung, bone, antler) predominate, other species are being found as well. These include small mammals (lemming, vole and ground squirrel), as well as sheep and goat. Interestingly, elk, bison and moose bones have also been found at some patches. It is likely that our ancestors also hunted these species.

What can we learn from the dung? Plant pollen trapped in the dung and ice is a wonderful source of information. It shows, for example, that pine trees weren’t growing here thousands of years ago. This tree species spread into the southern Yukon starting around 1,900 years ago.

The dung pellets are also being studied to learn about the genetic history of caribou to see if the herds that used the ice patches thousands of years ago are related to the modern-day southern Yukon herds, and if there have been changes in herd range over time.

View south to the East Gladstone ice patch on the left, and the east end of the larger Gladstone ice patch on the right, 2004. (CAFN, S. Greer)

Gus Morberg (Teslin Tlingit Council) surveys for artifacts and faunal remains at a patch in the Cassiar Mountains east of Wolf Lake. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

In 2003, at this small patch near Lake Laberge, only piles of dung remained. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

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Following the 2003 field discoveries, when patches were recognized in the Traditional Territories of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Teslin Tlingit Council, six First Nations have become involved in the ice patch work.

Yukon Government Archaeology staff have been including First Nation representatives in all their fieldwork efforts for the project. This has involved travel to the patches during the summer to assist in looking for biological specimens and artifacts.

Traditional knowledgeThe ice patches indicate that caribou used to be much more abundant and widespread across the southern Yukon than they are today. This is no surprise to our Elders, who grew up hearing stories about caribou and traditional hunting practices.

First Nations involvement

Elder Jimmy G. Smith (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations) shares his knowledge of the former distribution of caribou in the Coast Mountains. (CAFN, S. Gaunt)

Elder Art Johns (Carcross/Tagish First Nation) explaining how the ancestors hunted. Here he stands by a hunting blind, one of many found in the Coast Mountains. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

Interview work with Elders in our communities was initiated to document their insights into the former distribution of caribou, and other topics such as caribou habits, the ways of hunting them and proper human behaviour towards them.

While work to document the Elders’ knowledge had momentum when the First Nations had their own project funding in 2000 and 2001, in recent years this important aspect of the project has not received the attention it deserves from those agencies best placed to direct this work, the First Nations governments.

Aaron Doris (Kluane First Nation) searches for specimens and artifacts, 2001. (CAFN, S. Greer)

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Students at Science Camp 2003 get ready to look for artifacts and faunal remains at Thulsoo ice patch. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

The ice patches are located on mountaintops in the Ruby Range, Coast Mountains, Big Salmon Range, Cassiar Mountains (not shown here), and the Yukon Plateau country, inland from the glacier-covered mountains as shown in this satellite image of the southwest Yukon and adjacent northwestern British Columbia and southeast Alaska. (NASA base image)

Students and leaders participate in the dart throwing competition at Science Camp 2001. (CAFN, S. Gaunt)

Science CampOne of the most popular aspects of First Nations involvement has been the Science Camps, which were held in 2000, 2001 and 2003. These camps exposed community youth to science “out-on-the-land.” Scientists and First Nations staff involved in local field studies gave presentations on their work, and Elders shared traditional knowledge perspectives. Topics as wide ranging as bear biology, caribou collaring, permafrost, medicinal plants and genealogy were explored at Science Camps.

A highlight of the camps was the visit to a nearby ice patch where the students had the opportunity to look for artifacts. The camps involved the youth in a lot of hands-on activities, including making and throwing darts, which our ancestors would have done. Science Camp student Julie Smith (Champagne

and Aishihik First Nations) attaching feathers to the dart she has made. (CAFN, L. Joe)

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Some fieldwork highlights

Visits to the ice patches can be both inspiring and frustrating, depending on the daily weather, the overall summer conditions and the patch visited. The first time a productive patch is visited, artifacts and faunal remains that have melted out over many years are found. Visits to the same patch in subsequent years produce fewer finds.

1997 Initial discovery and artifact find at Thandlat Dhal, in CAFN Traditional Territory. Warm summer.

1998 Diane Strand (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations) finds second artifact at Thandlat; Yukon Government staff discover Granger ice patch in Kwanlin Dün First Nation Traditional Territory. Warm summer.

1999 Survey for more patches initiated by Yukon Government staff and a University of Alberta researcher in the Whitehorse-Carcross-Haines Junction area. Over 60 patches identified in Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Carcross/Tagish First Nation Traditional Territories. Visits to the bigger patches yield significant artifact collections. Warm summer, lots of melting.

2000 First Nations field crew visits known productive patches and others not previously checked. Science camp held at Kusawa Lake. Low-melt year.

2001 First Nations field crew continues the ground-truthing work. Science Camp held at Aishihik Lake. Yukon Government staff start mapping of reference patches. Low-melt year.

2002 Productive patches monitored by Yukon Government staff; limited survey for new patches. Mapping of reference patches continues. Warmer summer than 2000 or 2001.

2003 Productive patches monitored by Yukon Government staff; limited survey identifies new patches in Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Teslin Tlingit Council Traditional Territories. Science Camp held at Aishihik Lake. Low-melt year again.

2004 The Yukon Government supported detailed work by a crew consisting of representatives of the six Yukon ice patch First Nations focused on Gladstone-area patches. Confirmed ice patches with dung in British Columbia, in Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Traditional Territory and in overlap Teslin Tlingit Council and Taku River Tlingit Traditional Territory. Warm summer, high-melt conditions.

Representatives of the six Ice Patch First Nations work together at Gladstone ice patch, 2004. (CAFN, D. Strand)

Art Johns and the late Tagish Johns (Carcross/Tagish First Nation), and Vandy Bowyer, University of Alberta with antler arrow just found, 1999. (S. Krasemann)

Science Camp 2001 students at Aishihik Lake. (CAFN, S. Greer)

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Issues of interest

Media interestThe project continues to draw media attention. The main reason is that the artifacts being found are rare examples of aboriginal weaponry, with preserved organic parts (wood, bone, antler, sinew and feathers). The artifact collection is unique in Canada, if not the northern world.

The second aspect of the project that is catching people’s attention is the First Nations involvement, which is seen as a model for science and heritage work.

Magazine articles have been written on the project (see page 12, Further Reading). Features have been aired on CBC Radio and the Discovery Channel. A Northern Native Broadcasting production has played on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network. Yukon Government scientists and First Nations representatives have also given many conference presentations on the project.

Marlene Smith-Tutin (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations) packs up at the end of the work day at Gladstone ice patch, 2000. Note the melted-out dung around her feet. (CAFN, S. Greer)

Melting mountain top ice patches are yielding

caribou dung, animal remains and hunting artifacts

spanning the last 8000 years. These finds are

providing insight into climate change,

environmental shifts, ancient hunting practices,

caribou history and biology.

Photos: Government of Yukon Heritage, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Heritage Illustrations: Ukjese van Kampen Design: Halkier + Dutton Design

Elder Mrs. Annie Ned, 1980

S o u t h e r n Y u k o n I c e P a t c h S t u d i e sA collaborative effort of Carcross-Tagish First Nation, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Government of Canada, Government of Yukon, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Kluane First Nation and others.

Steven Reid discovers a stone tool Caribou jaw bone on melted-outdung.

First nations students learning aboutice patch history.

Caribou dung (dark area) melting out of mountain top ice patch.

View east to the Gladstone ice patch, which, at about one kilometre wide and 80 metres high, is the largest ice patch with dung in the southern Yukon. (CAFN, S. Greer)

Poster produced to highlight the project.

Local guardiansMedia attention helps the community learn about this exciting work. Unfortunately, it also means that those with less honourable intentions become aware of these special places and the interesting things that might be found.

If you suspect that someone is collecting artifacts or scientific specimens from the ice patches, please advise one of the First Nations or Yukon Government contacts listed on page 12. Collecting from these sites means scientific and cultural information is lost to our communities, forever.

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arrow, in Englishk&a ', in Southern Tutchonechu'ne 't, in Tlingitk&a"\, in Tagish

bow, in Englishinchìè, in Southern Tutchonesa :khs, in Tlingitnot available in Tagish

The artifacts

Over 150 artifacts (or parts of artifacts) have now been found. They are primarily hunting implements, with two types represented: darts and arrows. No evidence has been found for that most reliable of hunting devices, the snare, which was traditionally used by Yukon Indian people to catch both large and small game. Presumably this is because projectile weapons were more effective than snares in the high open country of the ice patches.

DartsDarts are the larger, longer (e.g., 1.5 metres to over two metres) and older type of weaponry, and dart shaft fragments are the most common artifact found. The darts range from as old as 8,360 years to as recent as 1,260 years. Points made of stone (most common), bone or antler were mounted on the end of the dart shafts.

The darts would have been thrown with an atlatl, a device that is also sometimes referred to as a throwing board, throwing stick or spear-thrower. None of these have yet been found at the patches.

Atlatl is an Aztec Indian word; we do not know the term for this device, or for dart, in any of the Yukon aboriginal languages.

ArrowsAround 1,300 years ago, our ancestors began hunting with bows and arrows at the ice patches. The ends of the arrows were fitted with antler or bone points, which were notched with multiple barbs along one edge. The old people continued using this type of weaponry up until historic times (mid to late 19th century) when guns first became available.

Pieces of this refitted dart, which is over two metres long and about 4,000 years old, were found over different summers. The dart’s stone point is broken off, but the base is still present (x-ray image on table). (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

The slot in the end of the dart shaft on the right once held the stone tool on the left; the shaft is about 3,050 years old. Scale in centimetres. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

(right) Three complete or almost complete arrows; the middle arrow, which is about 190 years old, is 72 centimetres long. The blow-up photos on the right show details of the middle arrow. (upper) The antler arrow point attached with sinew lashing; (lower) the feathers attached near the base of the arrow shaft. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

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It is recognized that it may take years to fulfill this goal, so work has begun to prepare the artifacts to travel to the communities on a short-term basis. Showing of the artifacts to groups is also possible at the Yukon Government laboratory. Please contact your First Nation’s representative (listed on page 12) if you wish to arrange a showing.

Moccasin findChecking an area at Gladstone ice patch that had already been surveyed for finds over the three previous years, Cody Joe’s sharp eye spotted a well-camouflaged find (photo on page 1). It turned out to be the only hide artifact found on any ice patch. When first collected, the two pieces were thought to be parts of a small leather pouch. More recently, they have been identified as moccasin parts. A sample from the moccasin has been dated at 1,400 years old. This is believed to be the oldest example of Canadian Indian footwear!

Where are the artifacts?At the present time, the ice patch artifacts are housed at the Yukon Government’s Archaeology and Conservation laboratory in Whitehorse. There, the broken dart, arrow and bow fragments are matched and refitted where possible, samples are taken for dating, and the finds from each patch are fully documented. Artifacts requiring conservation treatment are being cleaned and stabilized, slowly drying out the wet pieces; supports are built for the fragile ones.

This facility will not be the final home of the ice patch artifacts. The Ice Patch First Nations representatives indicated their interest in having the artifacts displayed in First Nations cultural facilities, existing or planned.

The 1,410-year-old moccasin is in two parts and incomplete. The large photo shows the upper, or top, of the moccasin with sinew stitching attaching it to a fragment of the lower. What is thought to be part of the bottom of the footwear, probably near the back, is shown in the smaller image. The lashing is a draw-cord that would have been gathered around the ankle to keep the moccasin in place. (Yukon Government, V. Monahan).

This wooden handle, a carved stick of uncertain function, is about 1,200 years old. It has been suggested that it might be a small throwing board or atlatl device, or alternatively, a device with attached feathers that would have been thrown to scare rabbits when hunting them. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

Deadly weapon. This unique antler arrow point, about 900 years old, has a detachable end piece also made of antler. Scale in centimetres. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

Repaired dart as found in the ice, with a coin for scale. Beside the sinew lashing on the wood shaft is a small wooden wafer (indicated by arrow) that appears to have been a splint of sorts, to strengthen the damaged shaft. (Yukon

Government, G. Hare)

Bow fragments. Scale in centimetres. (Yukon

Government, G. Hare)

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blood, or oil or fat, was used as a binding agent for the paint. Paint found on the base of stone points had been mixed with conifer (i.e., spruce) resin, which suggests the paint-resin mixture was an adhesive that helped fix the stone part to its shaft.

What’s missing?Traditional knowledge, that’s what’s missing! To date, the Elders’ impressions and understanding of the artifacts being found have not been adequately documented. For example, research with Elders is needed to get their insights into the use of feathers from different kinds of birds, as well as the practice of feather notching. And what do the Elders think the wooden handle (photo on page 9) might have been used for? What insights might our experienced sewers be able to give us about the design and construction technique of the 1,400-year-old moccasin?

Efforts are now being made to see this important work move forward as quickly as possible. Because the artifacts are extremely fragile, proper travelling cases need to be made so the items can leave the laboratory where they are stored without incurring damage.

More results from the lab

Elder Moose Jackson (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations) has shared insights into the traditional methods for preparing ochre paint. (CAFN, S. Gaunt)

Feathers on the darts and arrows Researchers at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. studied the feathers associated with the weapons. Two darts (4,000 and 4,600 years old) have duck and northern flicker feathers attached to them, while eagle feathers were used on an arrow that is 450 years old. Feathers from short-eared owl, gyrfalcon and white-tailed ptarmigan are also present in the collection.

PaintTraces of paint can be seen on some ice patch artifacts. Researchers at the Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa confirmed that the pigment is the mineral known as iron oxide, also referred to as ochre. In some cases, a protein substance, such as

ochre, in Englishtsû, in Southern Tutchone¬e {xh&w, in Tlingitnot available in Tagish

Stone point with red paint. (Yukon Government,

G. Hare)

Some of the feathers attached to darts and arrows, such as this ptarmigan one, are notched along the edges. Depth of notch about four millimetres. (Smithsonian Institution)

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Collective vision

Trish James (Carcross/Tagish First Nation) and Jen Meurer (Ta’an Kwäch’än Council) with arrow shaft just found, 2004. (CAFN, S. Greer)

In December 2004, representatives of the Yukon Ice Patch First Nations gathered to review the project’s history, successes and their own involvement. The group recognized the ice patch work as important.

• It is a window into the world of our ancestors, grounding us in where we’ve come from.

• It helps renew old ties between south Yukon First Nations as our common history is explored.

• It provides the opportunity to bring together past and present, old and new, western science and traditional knowledge.

• It is a source of pride to strengthen our communities and share with others.

• It reveals lessons about caribou biology, the environmental history of our homelands, and land management.

During the strategic planning session, a First Nations’ vision for the project was developed (see page 1). This vision involves:

• working together, collectively;

• continuing the cooperative working relationship with the Yukon Government;

• seeking First Nations involvement in laboratory studies, as well as field work, whenever and wherever possible;

• respectfully integrating traditional knowledge and oral history data through all phases (planning, research and interpretation) of the work; and

• using the ice patch work to increase local awareness, educate youth, enhance the capabilities of our respective governments and strengthen our communities.

The First Nations are committed to finding the resources to implement this vision, which focuses on cooperation and community development.

What’s ahead?The strategic plan contains long-term goals and actions, such as continuing the Science Camps for youth and getting displays on the project into our communities.

In the short term, it was recognized that more attention needs to be paid to:

• working with Elders to document their knowledge of caribou and understanding of our peoples’ history with the species, as well as traditional knowledge insights into the artifacts;

• increasing project awareness within our communities and making the artifacts available for our citizens to see; and

• providing support for neighbouring First Nations that may have ice patches within their Traditional Territories.

Trina Van Bibber (Champagne and Ashihik First Nations) tries her hand at dart throwing at Science Camp 2001. (CAFN, S. Gaunt)

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NEWSLETTER CREDITSText and organization: Sheila GreerProduction: K-L Services, Whitehorse, YukonArtwork: Ukjese van KampenEditors: Diane Strand, Gordon Allison and

Paula Banks (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations), Pauly Sias (Kluane First Nation), Gus Morberg (Teslin Tlingit Council)

Native language vocabulary: Patrick Moore, Daniel Tlen, Sam Johnston

Further reading Dodd, C., 2004. Prehistory defrosted. American Archaeology, fall 2004.

Dove, Carla and others, 2005. Identification of ancient feather fragments found in melting alpine ice patches. Arctic (journal), vol. 58, no. 1, p. 38-43.

Farnell, R. and others, 2004. Multidisciplinary investigations of alpine ice patches in southwest Yukon, Canada: Paleoenvironmental and Paleobiological investigations. Arctic (journal), vol. 57, no. 3, p. 247-259.

Hare, P. Gregory and others, 2005. Ethnographic and archaeological investigations of alpine ice patches in southwest Yukon, Canada. Arctic (journal), vol. 57, no. 3, p. 260-272.

Kristinsdóttir, S.M., 2004. Secrets surrendered. Up Here, vol. 20, no. 8, p. 40-44.

Pringle, H., 2002. High spirits. Canadian Geographic, July/August 2002, p. 68-74.

Yukon First Nations Ice Patch Strategic Plan, 2005. Prepared by Cambio Consulting (Whitehorse) for Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Kluane First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Teslin Tlingit Council.

Project funding and supportField and laboratory research since the 2002 edition of this newsletter has been primarily supported by the Yukon Government. Each First Nation has covered the costs of the participation of its representatives in this work. Conservations services for the artifacts and laboratory study of the artifacts and the biological specimens and samples from the ice patches were supported by the Yukon Government.

Science Camp 2002 was supported by Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Canada (Department of Indian and Northern Affairs).

The Canada Department of Heritage provided support for the 2004 Ice Patch First Nations Strategic Planning Workshop.

The Canada Department of Heritage and the Yukon Government provided funds for the production of this newsletter.

A lone caribou makes

its way to Gladstone ice patch,

2004. (CAFN,

S. Greer)

Co-operative research at Gladstone ice patch, 2004 field crew: (left to right, back row) Gus Morberg (Teslin Tlingit Council), Pauly Sias (Kluane First Nation), Diane Strand (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations), Sigrún Kristinsdóttir (Yukon News), Greg Hare (Yukon Government), and (front row) Sheila Greer (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations), Stacey Jones (Kwanlin Dün First Nation), Trish James (Carcross/Tagish First Nation) and Jen Meurer (Ta’an Kwäch’än Council). (Yukon

Government, G. Hare)

Close-up of 2,000-year-old dart foreshaft, with stone point (broken tip) attached to wooden shaft with sinew lashing. Found in 2004. Scale in centimetres. (Yukon Government, G. Hare)

Government

For more information contact:

Carcross/Tagish First NationDan Cresswell, Lands867-821-3509 danny.cresswell@ctfn.ca

Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Diane Strand, Heritage867-667-7825 dstrand@cafn.ca

Kluane First NationPauly Sias, Heritage867-841-4274 pauly.sias@kfn.ca

Kwanlin Dün First NationJosh Smith, Lands and Resources867-633-7808 j.smith@kdfn.ca

Ta’an Kwäch’än CouncilKristina Kane867-668-3613kkane@taan.ca

Teslin Tlingit CouncilGus Morberg867-390-2532, ext. 428, gus.morberg@ttc-teslin.com

Yukon GovernmentGreg Hare, Archaeology Tourism and Culture867-667-3771 greg.hare@gov.yk.caRick Farnell, Caribou Biology Environment Yukon867-667-5465 rick.farnell@gov.yk.ca